How Crawford’s Contractor Connection and Subsidence teams are responding with expertise, scale and innovation
Following prolonged hot and dry conditions across the UK, subsidence is firmly back on the market’s agenda. The Association of British Insurers data shows that insurers paid £72 million for domestic subsidence claims in the second quarter of 2026, while the average claim reached a record £20,000.
For homeowners, these claims can be among the most complex and disruptive they face. They extend well beyond technical investigation and structural repair, involving prolonged activity at the property, close customer contact, clear communication and dependable delivery. For insurers, periods of increased demand also require confidence that claims will be assessed consistently and resources scaled quickly.
Crawford has prepared for this scenario through specialist expertise, innovative technology and scalable operational capability. Our collaborative model brings together the Contractor Connection network and subsidence specialists from the earliest stages of a claim, supported by established surge plans, nationwide resources and continued investment in consultant training.
Why early collaboration matters
Subsidence claims are technically complex and rarely straightforward. In the past, delays have often arisen not because of engineering uncertainty, but because decisions were made in isolation or at the wrong time. Scope changes mid-project, mobilisation before technical input is complete and inconsistent communication have all contributed to extended timelines and customer frustration.
Bringing Contractor Connection and subsidence specialists together earlier in the process changes that dynamic. By engaging technical specialism early and maintaining alignment throughout the claim lifecycle, our teams can make informed decisions based on shared evidence and insight. The result is a more controlled repair journey, with fewer late-stage changes and greater confidence for everyone involved.
Respect and shared accountability
Specialisms aside, at the heart of this working relationship is a commitment to mutual respect, and shared accountability. Each party understands their role, values the expertise of others and works collaboratively towards the same outcome.
This approach is reflected in the way teams:
- Engage early and listen carefully to technical input and on-site insight.
- Agree scope and requirements before mobilization to help avoid unnecessary disruption.
- Coordinate decisions at key stages to help maintain momentum and clarity.
- Communicate consistently with insurers and customers throughout the process.
By respecting both the technical complexity of subsidence claims and the lived experience of the customer, this model supports reliable delivery and fewer avoidable changes during the repair journey.
Delivering confidence for customers
For homeowners experiencing subsidence, the impact goes far beyond physical damage to their property. Uncertainty about the cause, worrying about the length of the repair and what will happen next can be just as unsettling as the structural issues themselves. When communication is unclear or plans change without warning, that uncertainty can quickly turn into frustration.
The joined-up approach our teams have developed helps remove much of that anxiety. By validating findings early, agreeing decisions collectively and maintaining alignment through delivery, customers are given clearer expectations from the outset. Timelines are easier to understand, changes are reduced, and when adjustments are needed, they are explained clearly and consistently.
Technology strengthens this joined-up approach. SubSprint is Crawford’s AI-enabled digital subsidence assessment platform, designed to accelerate assessment, support operational efficiency and create a simpler experience for customers at scale. Assessments can be completed up to 97% faster, with some claims assessed in as little as 15 minutes. To date, 86% of claims assessed using SubSprint have not required an onsite visit, helping claims progress quickly while maintaining technical confidence.
By combining AI-enabled assessment with specialist oversight and coordinated repair delivery, Crawford can manage higher claim volumes efficiently while keeping the customer experience clear and supportive. Technical experts can focus their time where it is most needed, while insurers benefit from greater capacity, consistency and resilience across the subsidence claims journey.
Prepared for what comes next
Crawford’s latest Weather Watch confirms that 2026 has become another major year for subsidence, with a large surge in claims for the second consecutive year. Following five summer heatwaves, record-low rainfall and a record-breaking soil moisture deficit, new-claim instructions peaked at seven to 10 times the average weekly volume for the first half of the year, well above the four- to fivefold peaks seen in 2018, 2022 and 2025. While recent rainfall has turned lawns green again, it has not replenished the moisture deficit at depth and the surge alert status remains red, meaning the effects could continue well beyond the summer. As conditions continue to develop, insurers need a model that can respond calmly, consistently and at scale.
By aligning Contractor Connection, specialist subsidence expertise and proven digital innovation, Crawford is prepared to respond to increased demand without losing sight of what matters most: efficient claim progression, appropriate customer support and reliable repair outcomes. Our approach to handling the 2026 subsidence surge has also been recognised by Insurance Times, with Crawford named a finalist in the Claims Partner of the Year category at this year’s awards. This is a smarter model for subsidence claims which is built to give clients confidence today and resilience for the future.
